24 Oct 2011

Grassley, Johnson Press for Farm Payment Limits to be Included in Deficit Reduction Talks

By Grassley Press
WASHINGTON - Senators Chuck Grassley and Tim Johnson have requested that the deficit reduction committee save more than $1.5 billion by including their legislation that places a hard cap on farm payments at $250,000 per married couple ($125,000 per individual).

 

"Our bill maintains the much needed safety net for farmers so we are assured that the American people will have a safe, abundant and inexpensive food supply.  It also closes loopholes that have reduced urban support for the farm bill," Grassley said.  "This is an easy way to save some additional funds in what's a very difficult task for the committee."

 

"Particularly given the budget environment we're in, it's important that our farm programs are effectively targeted to those who need the assistance the most: the small and medium-sized family farmers.  I hope that our bill can be incorporated into any recommendations made by the deficit reduction committee," said Johnson.

 

Grassley and Johnson introduced the legislation on June 9, 2011.  The legislation would set a limit of $250,000 for married couples for farm payments in an attempt to better target farm program payments to family farmers.  Specifically, the bill caps direct payments at $40,000; counter-cyclical payments at $60,000; and marketing loan gains (including forfeitures), loan deficiency payments, and commodity certificates at $150,000.  The bill also improves the standard which the Department of Agriculture uses to determine farmers who are actively engaged in their operations.

 

Here is a copy of the text of the letter.  A signed copy of the letter can be found by clicking here.

 

 

October 14, 2011

 

The Honorable Patty Murray                         The Honorable Jeb Hensarling

Co-Chair                       Co-Chair

Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction            Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction

The Capitol                        The Capitol

Washington, D.C.                           Washington, D.C.

 

Dear Senator Murray and Representative Hensarling:

 

We are truly in uncharted territory with the debt reduction process now before us.  We are hard pressed to recall any process quite as unique as this one during our careers here in Congress.  You and the rest of the Joint Select Committee have a big task in front of you, and surely there will be some difficult decisions made in the coming weeks.

 

With all the hard decisions before you, we are providing a proposal that should be a common sense change to agriculture policy.  It is time for us to finally set hard payment limits on all commodity farm programs, as well as close the loopholes in current payment limitation law.

 

The specific changes we are proposing to the Joint Select Committee are contained in the bill we introduced, the Rural America Preservation Act of 2011 (S.1161).  That bill would do the following:

 

  • It would establish caps of $20,000 on direct (fixed) payments, $30,000 on counter cyclical payments, and $75,000 on loan deficiency payments and marketing loan gains.

 

  • The combined limit for married couples would be $250,000.  These limits would be reduced by varying amounts depending on the farmer's participation in ACRE, essentially setting the payment limitations at the effective caps, less the reductions in direct payments and marketing loan gains.

 

  • The amendment improves the "measurable standard" by which USDA determines who should and should not receive farm payments.  It requires that management be personally provided on a regular, substantial, and continuous basis through direct supervision and direction of farming activities and labor and on-site services.

 

  • It would provide savings of approximately $1.5 billion.

 

While we support commodity programs that provide a needed safety-net for farmers, the programs should not help big farmers get even bigger.  There's no problem with a farmer growing his operation, but the taxpayer should not have to subsidize it.  Under current law, nearly 70 percent of commodity farm payments go to the largest 10 percent of farmers.  There comes a point where some farms reach levels that allow them to weather the tough times on their own. Smaller farms do not have the same luxury.  In addition, setting a measurable standard for management of a farming operation will help prevent abuse of farm programs that is present under current law.

 

These proposed changes to payment limitations will help us target farm payments to those who really need them, the small- and medium-sized farmers who need a safety-net to help them get through rough patches as they produce this nation's food.

 

We understand there may be proposals submitted to the Joint Select Committee that would fundamentally change the commodity farm programs.  If one of these proposals is adopted by the Joint Select Committee, the language of our bill also would need to be revised to set a meaningful payment limitation for commodity programs.  Whatever the result, our main point is that setting a meaningful payment limitation and closing current loopholes in the law will provide savings and add integrity to the farm programs.  No matter what decision the Joint Select Committee makes regarding commodity programs, we urge you to ensure payment limitations and closing of loopholes plays a meaningful part.

 

We request the Joint Select Committee consider the policy reforms set out above, and if you have any questions, please contact us.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Charles E. Grassley                       Tim Johnson

United States Senator

United States Senator

14 Oct 2011

USDA Invests in America's Specialty Crops with Research and Extension Activities in 19 States

By USDA Communications Office

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2011-Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced 29 grants across 19 states to develop and share science-based tools to address the needs of America's specialty crop industry. USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is awarding the grants, totaling $46 million, through its Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI).

"Over the last 60 years, agriculture, including horticulture, has become increasingly reliant on science and technology to maintain profitable production," Merrigan said. "Specialty crop producers in the United States?as with all of American agriculture?are seeing sales surge both domestically and abroad as consumers search for high quality, 'Grown in America' fruits, vegetables and tree nuts. These projects will help provide specialty crop producers with the information and tools they need to successfully grow, process and market safe and high quality products, supporting jobs and opportunities for Americans working in specialty crops. From herbs to apples, from walnuts to grapes, specialty crops are central to the richness of American agriculture."

SCRI supports the specialty crop industry by developing and disseminating science-based tools to address the needs of specific crops. Specialty crops are defined in law as "fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture." Funded projects address five focus areas: 1) improve crop characteristics through plant breeding, genetics and genomics; 2) address threats from pests and diseases; 3) improve production efficiency, productivity and profitability; 4) develop new innovations and technologies and 5) develop methods to improve food safety.

SCRI gives priority to projects that are multistate, multi-institutional or trans-disciplinary; and include explicit mechanisms to communicate results to producers and the public. Each of the focus areas received at least 10 percent of the available funds. The majority of funded projects addresses two or more focus areas, and includes many collaborating institutions in addition to the awardee.

The projects funded address research and extension needs for crops that span the entire spectrum of specialty crops production, from researching plant genetics to improving crop characteristics; identifying and addressing threats from pests and diseases; improving production and profitability; developing new production innovations and technologies; and developing methods to respond to food safety hazards.

Projects were funded in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Most of the grant recipients are universities and colleges. Grant highlights include :

  • The University of Massachusetts Amherst will study pollination security for fruit and vegetable crops;
  • Michigan State University will develop a system to deliver resource-efficient, ecologically sustainable fruit production systems for apple and cherry producers
  • The University of Wisconsin system will study improved breeding and variety evaluation methods to increase quality in processed potato products
  • The University of Georgia Research Foundation will help to improve the long-term competitiveness of U.S. pecans based on their nutritional and health-promoting components
  • Washington State University will help U.S. raspberry producers find new tools for breeding and reaching markets

A full list of awardees can be found online at: www.nifa.usda.gov/newsroom/news/2011news/scri_awards.html.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.

#

14 Oct 2011

Family Farmers disappointed by approval of trade deals

By Katherine Ozer
The National Family Farm Coalition expressed its deep disappointment at the news of Congressional approval of the free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama. Board president Ben Burkett stated, "The U.S. alone has lost 300,000 family farmers since NAFTA was implemented, and we don't expect the lowered tariffs for beef and oranges to offset those numbers in the next 15 years."

Wisconsin farmer John Kinsman, who met with President Obama, USDA Secretary Vilsack and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood at the White House Rural Forum in Podesta, Iowa, was particularly disheartened. "We outlined our concerns about the trade agreements to the President and Secretary Vilsack, but they chose to ignore them. This Administration has, unfortunately, caved to the notion that any trade is good trade. They abandoned their campaign pledge to revisit our nation's trade policies, despite the continued loss of family-scale producers and the rural communities behind them."

The Coalition was one of 57 farm, fishing, food, faith, and social justice organizations who signed a September 14 letter to members of Congress urging opposition to all three trade agreements, demanding 'fair trade, not free trade.'

NFFC board vice president Dena Hoff noted, "The Korean Peasants League calculated that South Korea will lose nearly half of its agricultural production and its farmers, so their rural communities will decline just as those in the U.S. have. Instead of supporting localized food production and food sovereignty, the plan is to export highly processed foods that simply add to the pockets of transnational corporations."

Additional concerns included Colombia's human rights abuses and Panama's tax-haven status. Added Hoff, "This is morally wrong."

###
14 Oct 2011

ISU Scott County Extension Calendar and News Releases

By Iowa State Univ Extension Office
??October 25:  Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office - 7pm

October 27:  Mosquito & Public Health Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 10/20/11, after that $45.  At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

November 4:  Pesticide Applicator Testing, 10am-2pm at the Extension Office

November 9:  Ornamental & Turf Applicators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/2/11, after that $45.  At the Scott County Extension Office, 1:30pm-4pm

November 16:  Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Management CIC, $35 if registered by 11/9/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am.

November 29:  Fumigation CIC, $35 if registered by 11/22/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

November 29:  Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office 7pm

December 2:  Pesticide Applicator Testing 10am-2pm at the Extension Office

December 7:  Pest Control Operators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/30/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

December 13:  Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office 7pm



11 Oct 2011

ANF Game Day Underscores Why 'America Needs Farmers' to Maintain Food Choices

By Laurie Johns

Oct. 15 UI ANF Game Day Features First-Ever 'Card Stunt' and Former Hawkeye/NFL Players

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - October 10, 2011 - Iowa is insulated against the worst of the nation's economic woes, thanks to the strength and influence of agriculture, according to a recent survey by Creighton University economists.  "Farming has contributed 5,000 manufacturing jobs in this state over the past year and that's just one more reason why we want to share the good news of today's agriculture," says Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) President Craig Lang.

As part of the ANF partnership announced in August between the Iowa Farm Bureau and the University of Iowa Athletics Department, the football game this Saturday (Oct. 15) at historic Kinnick Stadium between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Northwestern Wildcats has been designated "ANF Day at Kinnick." The game, to be televised live on the Big Ten Network (BTN) at 6 p.m. CT, will feature a host of activities celebrating why America Needs Farmers, including a pre-game autograph session with former Hawkeye stars Jared DeVries, Tim Dwight, Marv Cook, Ed Podolak and Gary Dolphin at the Legend's Tent in the Krause Family Plaza located immediately south of the stadium.

Other activities include Tailgate Toss with ANF prizes and the UI's first stadium 'card stunt', where all fans in the four grandstands of Kinnick Stadium will, on cue, hold them up and deliver two designs and messages for the enjoyment of the 70,000 people in the stadium and the national television audience watching on BTN.

ANF was first launched in 1985 during the height of the Farm Crisis by legendary Hawkeye coach Hayden Fry, who wanted to show an increasingly urban nation why agriculture matters.  "Farming has seen many innovations since then, which bring more food and energy choices and job opportunities to a new generation," says Lang, a fifth-generation Brooklyn, Iowa dairy farmer. "Today's farming isn't just about feeding people; it's about innovation in renewable energy, medicine, building materials, diagnostic tools, and more which combine what we know with what we grow."

Iowa farmers lead the nation in what they grow.  Just this week, the world celebrates the efficiency and sustainability of today's farmers through the 25th anniversary of the World Food Prize honoring another Iowa farmer, Norman Borlaug. "In less than a generation, the world's population will need 100 percent more food than we are growing today on a finite amount of productive land.  IFBF is always looking for ways to show consumers how we plan to do that, while maintaining the integrity of the land, water, and rural communities where our farmers raise their own children," said Lang.

Iowa farmers realize with an increasing number of consumers curious about innovations in farming and food production, they need to find ways to make farming more transparent.  Larry Sailer, a Hardin County Farm Bureau member who farms near Iowa Falls, says, "Anything you can do to start a conversation with consumers about food and agriculture is good. We want to know what questions they have about what we do and why we do it. And in a high profile event, like an Iowa Hawkeye football game, it's literally a new way to show them this whole new playing field of modern agriculture."

For more information about the Iowa Farm Bureau/U of I ANF partnership and additional ANF Game Day activities or merchandise, click on www.americaneedsfarmers.org.

-30-

11 Oct 2011

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to Address Enhancing Global Security at Events in Iowa

By USDA Communications Office

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2011 -Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will give remarks on global food security on TUESDAY at Iowa State University in Ames and on THURSDAY at the World Food Prize in Des Moines. Vilsack will discuss how the continued innovation and creativity of American scientists, farmers and policy-makers are essential to confront the combined challenges of feeding a growing global population, mitigating the effects of climate change, and meeting increasing energy demands at home and abroad.

 

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

5:00 p.m. CDT

WHAT: Secretary Vilsack to give remarks on global food security at the Iowa State University Lecture Program World Affairs Series.

WHERE: Iowa State University

Memorial Union - South Ballroom

2229 Lincoln Way

Ames, IA 50014

 

Thursday, October 13, 2011

10:15 a.m. CDT

WHAT: Secretary Vilsack to give remarks on global food security at the World Food Prize panel, "Sharing Agricultural Knowledge to Drive Sustainable Growth."

WHERE: Marriot Hotel

700 Grand Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50309

#

11 Oct 2011

USDA Issues Conservation Reserve Program Rental Payments to Help Safeguard Soil and Water on 417,000 Farms

By Robert Jackson Jr.

I thought you might be interested to see these statements of support on USDA's Conservation Reserve Program, which announced today payments to help safeguard soil and water on 417,000 farms. See today's press release from USDA's Farm Service Agency at the end of this alert.

Thank you.

David Nomsen, Vice President of Governmental Affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

"CRP delivers habitat to wildlife. Examples range from doubling and tripling local pheasant populations to adding two million ducks annually to fall migrations and preventing species from being listed as threatened and endangered. America needs a strong CRP, along with an entire suite of other voluntary incentive-based conservation programs, as the starting point to sustain continued agricultural production."

John Salazar, Colorado Agriculture Commissioner

"The Conservation Reserve Program has a significant environmental impact, not only across the country, but in Colorado as well. This program encourages sound conservation practices that will have lasting benefits for generations to come.  Agricultural producers have long held the responsibility of protecting our natural resources and the CRP is a vital resource in that effort."

Bill Northey, Iowa Agriculture Secretary

"The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a very important USDA program helping farmers better care for their land and protect water quality. Iowa landowners continue to add acres in the continuous enrollment CRP, which is especially valuable in targeting benefits to the most sensitive acres. Over 50,000 Iowa farms have at least some of their acres enrolled in CRP, with payments to Iowa landowners exceeding $200 million."

 

Release No. PENDING                   

Contact:

Isabel Benemelis (202) 720-7809

 

USDA Issues Conservation Reserve Program Rental Payments to Help Safeguard Soil and Water on 417,000 Farms

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2011–The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will distribute Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) rental payments to participants across the country. USDA's Farm Service Agency administers CRP, while technical support functions are provided by public and private sector partners. CRP is a voluntary program that helps agricultural producers safeguard environmentally sensitive land and provide millions of acres of habitat for game and non-game wildlife species. Participants enroll in CRP contracts for 10 to 15 years. Currently, total CRP enrollment stands at 29.9 million acres.

"CRP protects millions of acres of American topsoil from erosion and is designed to safeguard the America's natural resources," said FSA Administrator Bruce Nelson. "By reducing water runoff and sedimentation, CRP protects groundwater and helps improve the condition of lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams. Acreage enrolled in the CRP is planted to resource-conserving vegetative covers, making the program a major contributor to increased wildlife populations in many parts of the country."

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) makes annual rental payments based on the agriculture rental value of the land, and it provides cost-share assistance for up to 50 percent of the participant's costs in establishing approved conservation practices.

USDA also issues non-rental CRP payments throughout the year. These payments include a 50 percent expense reimbursement for establishing and managing cover as well as incentive payments for enrolling eligible high priority conservation practices.

Beginning today, producers holding 752,000 contracts on 417,000 farms will receive an average CRP rental payment of $55.06 per acre. Producers will earn an average payment of $4,115 per farm enrolled in the program. Included in the totals are 414,000 contracts (5.1 million acres) for continuous CRP enrollments and 338,000 contracts (24.8 million acres) enrolled under general CRP. In all, the payments total approximately $1.7 billion.

A table, located below and at fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/apportstate091311.pdf, lists acreage enrollments by state, number of contracts, number of farms, acres enrolled as of the end of the 2011 fiscal year and CRP projected rental payments for fiscal year 2012.

 

CRP ENROLLMENT AS OF SEPTEMBER 2011

AND OCTOBER 2011 RENTAL PAYMENTS

STATE

NUMBER OF CONTRACTS

NUMBER OF FARMS

ACRES ENROLLED

RENTAL PAYMENTS

ALABAMA

9,093

6,480

395,901

$18,141,752

ALASKA

42

27

19,013

$668,053

ARKANSAS

5,956

3,299

250,340

$14,936,106

CALIFORNIA

499

387

122,237

$4,659,639

COLORADO

12,719

6,194

2,235,943

$73,650,439

CONNECTICUT

15

13

140

$9,162

DELAWARE

665

349

6,862

$766,093

FLORIDA

1,324

1,070

56,729

$2,275,180

GEORGIA

9,095

6,465

319,923

$15,014,654

HAWAII

9

9

167

$9,632

IDAHO

5,213

2,993

670,935

$29,621,296

ILLINOIS

82,534

45,127

1,037,082

$118,721,765

INDIANA

38,337

21,468

285,976

$31,139,269

IOWA

106,772

53,601

1,666,077

$212,962,880

KANSAS

47,264

26,905

2,736,915

$109,709,259

KENTUCKY

17,636

9,463

358,796

$39,807,984

LOUISIANA

5,047

3,211

327,080

$20,126,120

MAINE

678

470

17,936

$928,192

MARYLAND

6,456

3,533

79,171

$10,912,633

MASSACHUSETTS

4

4

15

$2,566

MICHIGAN

15,236

8,723

229,102

$20,186,751

MINNESOTA

63,119

33,153

1,636,074

$110,093,906

MISSISSIPPI

19,879

12,498

852,099

$40,940,444

MISSOURI

36,532

21,133

1,362,793

$100,874,589

MONTANA

15,267

6,018

2,860,998

$91,784,050

NEBRASKA

28,249

15,840

1,079,983

$65,437,490

NEW HAMPSHIRE

5

5

58

$3,222

NEW JERSEY

290

203

2,586

$180,757

NEW MEXICO

2,006

1,292

455,015

$15,239,837

NEW YORK

2,885

2,038

53,152

$3,711,019

NORTH CAROLINA

8,088

5,279

117,787

$8,076,182

NORTH DAKOTA

34,445

16,864

2,648,185

$95,840,798

OHIO

38,342

21,362

344,240

$41,058,917

OKLAHOMA

7,501

5,081

862,412

$28,890,320

OREGON

4,296

2,271

551,008

$28,631,923

PENNSYLVANIA

12,127

7,620

220,386

$22,658,340

PUERTO RICO

19

19

2,032

$129,681

SOUTH CAROLINA

7,665

4,318

159,085

$6,093,795

SOUTH DAKOTA

31,894

14,884

1,161,293

$65,161,870

TENNESSEE

7,356

4,883

204,698

$13,718,350

TEXAS

22,121

16,240

3,457,323

$124,337,837

UTAH

883

535

163,197

$5,082,238

VERMONT

381

270

2,835

$282,166

VIRGINIA

5,860

4,473

63,255

$3,743,311

WASHINGTON

12,477

5,182

1,459,939

$81,331,355

WEST VIRGINIA

463

377

5,945

$437,397

WISCONSIN

24,647

15,103

398,918

$31,852,908

WYOMING

972

653

226,591

$6,161,981

NOT REPORED 1/

1

1

28

$2,284

TOTALS

752,364

417,386

31,168,255

$1,716,006,394

1/ Data from States with fewer than 4 contracts not reported.

 

For more information on CRP, producers should contact their local FSA office or visit FSA's website at www.fsa.usda.gov.

11 Oct 2011

(202) 720-4623 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to Visit Iowa, Discuss the American Jobs Act and Efforts Underway to Strengthen the Iowa Economy

By USDA Communications Office

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2011 - TOMORROW, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will give remarks and hold a press conference on the American Jobs Act and efforts to strengthen the economy in Iowa.  The purpose of the American Jobs Act is to put more people back to work, put more money in the pockets of working Americans, and do so without adding to the deficit. In Iowa, without adding a dime to the deficit, this Act will provide a tax cut for over 60,000 businesses, support the jobs of 4,100 teachers and first responders and immediately provide over 5,000 construction workers a job improving highways and other critical infrastructure. A typical household in Iowa will receive a tax cut of around $1,580.

On Saturday morning, Secretary Vilsack is hosting a White House Business Council Meeting with business, community and agricultural leaders to explore ways federal, state and local officials can work together to improve economic conditions and create jobs.

Friday, October 7, 2011

3:00  p.m. CST

 

WHAT: Secretary Vilsack to host a press conference on the American Jobs Act and efforts to strengthen the economy in Iowa.

WHERE: Riverdale City Hall (Across from Alcoa Plant)

110 Manor Drive

Riverdale, Iowa

Saturday, October 8, 2011

11:30 a.m. CST

 

WHAT: Following the morning White House Business Council Meeting, Secretary Vilsack to host a press conference on the American Jobs Act and efforts to strengthen the economy in Iowa.

WHERE: CSPS

1st Floor Gallery

1103 3rd St. SE

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

###

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
04 Oct 2011

"America's Agricultural Labor Crisis: Enacting a Practical Solution"

By Rick Martin

 

Prepared Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley

Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security

Hearing on: "America's Agricultural Labor Crisis: Enacting a Practical Solution"

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The United States is blessed with a rich agricultural bounty which provides food not only for U.S. consumers, but also for a growing world population. American farmers are the most productive food producers in the world.  In fact, each farmer feeds more than 120 people at home and abroad.

George Washington once said that "Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment to man."  Although I'm biased, I couldn't agree more.  I have a special interest in today's hearing because I am a family farmer.  I understand the agricultural needs of my state.  However, I also know that the needs of California and Vermont, for example, are different from Iowa.  Even though our industries are not identical, our interests and goals are the same.  We must be able to meet the needs of agriculture.  We must look for solutions that serve the industry and our country in the long-run.

America's agricultural industry depends, in part, on the ability of farmers and ranchers to recruit and hire workers.  Unfortunately, more than half of today's U.S. agricultural workforce is undocumented.  Some employers claim it's because Americans will not perform the hard work that is required.  Some are using undocumented labor to cut costs.  Regardless of the reason, we find ourselves in a situation where employers are hiring illegal workers, allowing them to undercut their competition and to ignore the legal avenues we have in place to bring in foreign workers

I am well aware of the legislative proposals that would put millions of agricultural workers on a path to citizenship.  I was here in 1986 when we legalized more than one million workers in the Special Agricultural Worker program, known as SAW.  We underestimated how many people would come forward and take advantage of it.  We weren't prepared to root out the fraud, and there was plenty of it.  More importantly, in 1986 we said it would be a one-time fix.  It's obvious we were wrong.  We certainly cannot go down that road again.

Instead, we must consider a long-term solution to the industry's needs.  The answer is to reform our current agricultural guestworker program known as the H-2A visa program.

Senator Chambliss has a bill, S. 1384, or the Harvest Act, that would make significant improvements to the H2A visa program.  I agree with many aspects of Senator Chambliss' proposal, including making sure we streamline the process for employers and reducing the red tape that comes with using the program.  I am a proponent for expanding the program to include various agricultural industries in the program, such as dairy, animal agriculture and agricultural processing.  Many employers in my home state say they're unable to use the program because it's restricted to seasonal or temporary work.  We must make the program work better for those who desperately need the workers.  I hope to hear some constructive suggestions today to that end.

While I am a champion of the ag industry, I do have concerns that many agricultural employers are convinced that they won't survive if they are required to electronically verify their workers.  E-Verify is a useful tool that's accessible to anyone with a computer.  It's reliable.  It's free.  It's web-based and easy to use.  More importantly, it's helpful for employers who want to abide by the law and employ a legal workforce.

Opponents of E-Verify, I'm afraid, are using agriculture to argue against mandatory E-Verify participation.  I have long said that E-Verify must be a staple in every workplace, and that includes the agricultural sector.  I'm not in favor of carving out exemptions for certain industries, and I am willing to do what I can for small businesses and industries that need help to fully comply with potential requirements.

I thank the Chairman for holding this hearing today, and I'm glad we have a well-rounded group of witnesses to discuss the labor needs surrounding agriculture.  I'm also glad to be a part of the discussion on how to improve the current immigration system to ensure that they have access to the workers they truly need.  I hope my colleagues will join me in this effort to help the farmers and ranchers that feed America.

-30-
03 Oct 2011

Quinn Administration Announces Agreement with Taiwan to Sell Illinois Grain

By Katelyn Tye

Illinois' Grain Industry Could See Boost of As Much As $575 Million

SPRINGFIELD - September 27, 2011. As Governor Pat Quinn continues his efforts to increase Asian investment in Illinois, officials from the Quinn administration today announced a major agricultural trade agreement with Taiwan. Representatives from the Department of Agriculture hosted members of a Taiwanese trade delegation in Springfield as part of a goodwill mission designed to further a long-standing trade relationship.

"Illinois' products are the best in the world, and we are committed to selling those products in the global marketplace," Governor Quinn said. "Agreements that help us increase trade with Asia are essential to ensuring our role as a leader in the global economy and bringing good jobs home to Illinois."

The 22-member delegation from Taiwan agreed to import additional Illinois grain in 2012 and 2013 and signed letters of intent with the Illinois Corn Growers Association and the Illinois Soybean Association during a visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

"The Illinois agriculture industry is dependent upon export agreements like this," Agriculture Director Tom Jennings said. "Forty percent of Illinois grain is shipped out of the country and we thank the Taiwan Feed Industry Association and the Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers not only for their business, but also for their long-standing friendship."

The Taiwan Feed Industry Group signed commitments to purchase 303 million to 413 million bushels of U.S. corn and 0.5 million to 0.75 million metric tons of corn by-products. Illinois will supply approximately 43 million to 59 million bushels of the corn. At current prices, the deal is worth $288 million to $393 million to the state's corn growers.

"Illinois farmers are pleased and encouraged by the sale of Illinois corn and corn products to the Taiwanese," said Illinois Corn Marketing Board Chairman Bill Christ. "Even though this has been a tough year, Illinois farmers remain reliable producers, and Taiwan continues to be a valued customer."

The delegation, which also included representatives from Taiwan's Vegetable Oil Manufacturers and Oilseed Processing Association, signed similar letters outlining its intent to purchase up to 118 million bushels of U.S. soybeans.  Illinois' share of the transaction is around 14 million bushels, or $182 million worth, of soybeans.

"We thank Taiwan for their continued support of our industry and Illinois soybean producers," said Illinois Soybean Association Chairman Matt Hughes. "We look forward to building a stronger relationship with them, especially since more than half of our soybeans are exported to countries like Taiwan each year."

This year Taiwan is the sixth-largest export market for U.S. agricultural products and the fifth-largest market for U.S. corn and soybeans.

While here in the state the delegation will visit a central Illinois farm and tour a rail terminal grain elevator before continuing on its U.S. tour.

###

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.